Member Movie Reviews

Danita M. from BRUCETON MLS, WV Reviewed on 1/13/2011...

although I've been exercising for years, still found quite challenging. Mixes it up nicely, different exercises, so makes for nice change. Stretch section very good afterward, as well. Really took time and good explanation for extra stretch.

Keran F. from ORTONVILLE, MN Reviewed on 9/29/2010...

The Kathy Smith Matrix Ultimate Sculpt workout has to be the most fun I have spent lifting weights....ever! It's challenging, fun, not boring, and results! results! results! Did I say, "results!"? Results--quickly. Kathy Smith is a hoot! I like this DVD. The workout incorporates cardio with strength. I was sweating. The core workout is great. No floor-work necessary to achieve fab abs (still working toward mine LOL!). Some of the moves look really challenging, but I have iffy knees and I haven't encountered any problems.

Susan I. (mustang05) from PLAINFIELD, IL Reviewed on 12/18/2009...

The dvd was somewhat fast paced but was still easy to follow.The dvd does give a decent work out but the individual workouts could be a little bit longer.

I am at an intermediate level and I really like this workout. I do not find Kathy Smith too irritating and I find her to have a cheerful gentleness that is motivating. The moves are great. There is an additional shorter advanced segment bonus that is great for those looking for an awesome challenge. It is the "Matrix" method.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Movie Reviews

Great Workout - Seems to Target

Loves Books | Maryland USA | 02/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been using this workout for a few weeks now and have really enjoyed it. Although just a few minutes over 30 minutes for the Ultimate Sculpt portion of the DVD, you're dripping with sweat when it's over and feel sore the next day in a good way.

I've been exercising consistently 5-7 times a week for 3 years, primarily using The Firm for sculpting and Richard Simmons and The Firm for cardio. So I was surprised at the level of soreness I felt from the workouts - but even more so from WHERE I was sore. Like one of the other reviewers, I felt soreness in my rib cage area, but also from another hard to target area in the butt/glute/upper-side leg area.

The exercises themselves are different from the norm, which may explain why frequent exercisers are experiencing a surprising level of soreness afterward. This has made this DVD become a regular in my rotation. I was born without a waist :) and I am hopeful that maybe this routine will give me firmness at the side of my waist, even if my build isn't likely to develop a real defined waist. The time moves by quickly through the routine. It's a nice balance of being neither tricky or boring. There is variety in the movements, but no real "choreography" that you have to learn - just watch and follow.

One caution: I would suggest starting out using a lighter weight for many of the moves than you would typically use in a sculpting routine. Why? Well, many of the moves involve a certain amount of lunging or twisting or bending. The first time I did this routine was almost my last, as after just 10 minutes, my admittedly sensitive back was complaining and I had to stop. I would have written this one off, but I'll confess the rib-cage soreness the next day - and after just 10 minutes of this tape - made me want to try it again because it's such an unusual place to feel muscle soreness. So I backed it down from 7.5 to a 2.5 pound weight (Bowflex Adjustable, which increases in 2.5 increments, hence the weird amounts)and am very careful with form and have had no problems and have increased to 5 pounds, where I think I'll stay, as that's giving me a good workout.

I'd recommend watching through this DVD before working out to it - or doing it without weights the first time. This may help give you a better idea of what size weight to use. Though this DVD is named "ultimate sculpting", Kathy suggests doing it some days without weights. I also consider it a cardio workout because she has your heart rate elevated and I'm always soaked when done.

I have several of Kathy Smith's workouts and this is probably my most favorite of them. I will probably use other workouts for a true upper body sculpting routine, but I think this is an excellent addition, particularly for those parts of the body often missed (at least judging from my soreness) by them. This is available on Netflix if you want to trial this before buying - but with a price under [...], you can't go wrong."

Great workout but definitely not for beginners...

Vicki Williamson | Monroe, Ga United States | 03/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I usually get my exercise by jogging, walking on my treadmill, working out with Leslie Sansone and strength training. Then at the beginning of the year I noticed I hit a plateau. I also noticed that I wasn't feeling challenged and worked out with my other forms of exercise. So I went on a hunt for something new and different. This is where Kathy Smith comes into the picture. I saw an ad in my Weight Watchers magazine for this workout dvd. I decided to look it up here at Amazon and read the reviews. With such good reviews, I decided to give it a shot. I have to say that I am NOT disappointed. I've been doing this workout 4 to 5 days a week for the last month and I can see a difference in the shape of my body. My husband has been very impressed with the changes, too. I still mix up the exercise routines with the aforementioned and Kathy Smith. I don't want my body hitting another plateau. This workout is tough but great. I highly recommend this dvd to those who consider themselves intermediate or better. I don't recommend it to beginners, though Kathy does have a woman who is supposed to be a beginner so that beginners can follow along. I personally believe it would be too much for a beginner which would and could cause discouragement."

Kathy's Back! This Is a Great Workout That Will NOT Dissapo

Kat Ramone | 03/07/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I keep up a fairly strenuous workout routine incorporating yoga, weights and cardio, so while I rotate my workout routines to avoid plateaus, I am also always on the lookout for fresh, solid, and excellent workouts. I was not impressed with Kathy's "Lift Weights Volume Two," but I thought I'd give this "Matrix Method" a whirl since the review sounded good. It is! Kathy must be getting up there in age, but not only does she look FAB in this workout (either the lighting is good or exercise IS the key to staying young!), she provides the participant with an excellent sculpt routine. I have seen many of these particular "core" moves in other workouts, but for this workout, I would suggest that beginner levels first attempt this workout without using the weights, only because the moves and pace are fast and one could easily get hurt. Intermediate levels may want to begin with lighter weights (3-5 lbs) and work up to heavier if appropriate. Advanced may be able to breeze through this workout as is and use heavier weights. Regardless, a great workout will be achieved. I used ankle weights and alternated dumbbell weights (8-12 lbs), and I was able to execute the moves and I will tell you--I felt every bit of it!

Apparently, Kathy Smith "discovered" one of the participants, "Angela," and her "Matrix Workout" at a popular gym, and Kathy provides an additional interview with Angela explaining the basis of this routine, as well as an approximate ten-minute advanced routine led by Angela. As for this workout, the entire tone of the workout is upbeat, the filming, state-of-the-art, yet not distracting, the participants seem fresh and as if they are having a great time--different participants work at different levels, which provides the at-home participant with options. Some of the participants are at top level, some mid-level, and some, like Nancy Walker, a veteran of Kathy's workouts, is at the beginner-option level, so everyone who wants to attempt this workout can because there are options. The workout is tough, but good; fun, yet effective. I enjoy circuit-type workouts, and while this is not a straight cardio workout, if one is beginning or using the weights and executing maximum effort, you will feel the heart pumping and receive some heartrate response! I mentioned that I was not impressed with Kathy's "Lift Weights Vol. 2" workout...it seems slapped together and sloppy, and Kathy is not at her best. This workout is fresh with plenty of moves to keep one's body in tip-top shape, and Kathy herself looks great and is in top form for the workout as well. I would definitely recommend this workout as part of one's routine. I can feel and see the benefits already after only one week, and it's great to see that Kathy's back with an excellent workout routine. Aside from a few glitches in the filming (I caught a cord dangling in front of the camera, as well as someone's hand briefly waving across the lens...and yes, there are a few moves which Kathy does not repeat on the other side), this workout will do the job providing shape and tone to one's body! I may edit this review after working out with the DVD for a few more weeks, which is usually when I notice some "intricacies" I may have ommitted; however, at this point, I love this workout!

***To update: I have been working out to "The Matrix" every week since purchase (it's basically my Saturday workout), and the benefits are really amazing! Also, the workout does NOT become stale."

Not for those who want form and function.

Lovetoworkout | Encino, CA United States | 02/21/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I am a Kathy Smith fan; she did get me started working out and although I moved beyond her to The Firm and Jari Love, I have always liked Kathy as she seemed to focus on form. However, this DVD does not. It doesn't seem to know whether it is a cardio workout or a sculpting workout. If you use heavier weights, you run the risk of injury; if you use lighter weights, it is not long enough to get your cardio pumping. Further, Kathy does have a problem with not doing the same number of reps for each side; that will be seen in this DVD. I did like the unusualy movements; the body does move differently than in others; however, again, the speed in which Kathy seems to want to do this workout is not beneficial to those who may have a weak back."